I need a ew Job

[Yygdrasil]

So my wife and I are planning to move from Boston to Rochester, NH. Theres a storefront there that she wants to turn into a coffee shop/cyber cafe. I personally love this idea, because there's an appartment above the store that we could live in. The entire building is for sale and we wouldn't have to pay rent or lease the space. Talk about WIN.

The only problem with this plan is that I work in Boston... and the commute is just over an hour and a half from door to door... not counting traffic. So I've started to think about changing job fields. I work for the airport now as an Operations Control Agent. That basically means that I'm my own boss... in most respects. If I were to go out and find a new job to save myself on the commute, I would have to go back to being someone's bitch in a job that I would have to start from the ground up.

I never finished College... so education is an issue. I left in my Junior year in order to spare my parents the money. (my father lost his job and my younger siblings were about to enter private schools) Needless to say, money was tight... so I left.

My major was World Religions, not a lot of help there. It makes employers know that I'm a trustworthy guy and that I'll never really blow my top if there's any sort of altercation... but thats it.

If the coffee shop takes off and the business is good, I probably wouldn't have to do much besides help her out in running the place, but that's not really enough for me. I like to feel useful, I like to have a job and a work environment to go to every day. I'm the guy who would get told he "has to retire" andprobably show up to work the next day.

So I need a job. I don't need one RIGHT NOW, but I need a job. I'd prefer something that would make me feel accomplished and needed. I'd rather a job that doesn't involve repetitious tasks... and I'd like something along the likes of an IT position that doesn't require that I went to school for it for 9million years.

Anyone know of something like that? lol

If all else fails, I'm going to try my hand at an E-Bay store and see if I don't go insane. Other than that I'm limited... highly limited in what I can actually apply to do.

[Durahansolo]

Re: I need a ew Job

eww....

*Ques Jokes*

[Solymir]

Re: I need a ew Job

If you want something in IT that is not very repetitive I could recommend being a general Tech. We don't make very much, but it's decent. Depending on the size/type of the company the work can be different every day. I work for a medium size Hospital and I'm rarely bored. I have to troubleshoot software and hardware. Decent sense of accomplishment when you fix issues for people. The drawback in interviewing would be the inevitable questions about experience and school.

When you get into specified techs/analysts/administrators you're going to run into more of the same issues each day. You'll also be expected have the specific experience/school work.

Hope this info helps.

[Icemage]

Re: I need a ew Job

IT is one of those peculiar fields. It's not quite like anything else out there. If you've got the experience and background, you can get away with not having a degree, but my first question on those lines would be - how computer literate are you? It's one thing to be able to operate email and Excel, and quite another to know how to troubleshoot a web server, or administer a domain, or mine a database for information.

I don't know firsthand what the job front is like in the Northeast, but if it's anything like what some of my contacts in that region are saying, it's fairly tough to find a stable IT position if you don't have a decently long brag sheet and references. Lots of competition, lots of people lying on resumes (which makes employers extra extra careful during screening).


Icemage <- self-employed IT database contractor

[Yygdrasil]

Re: I need a ew Job

Thanks guys. I appreciate all the input. Let's see where to start responding. Hmmm...

Experience-wise I have administered before, I'm compitent at data mining and I know my way around the troubleshooting field. My father used to be the the Crash Maintenance tech for the Hancock Tower in Boson. He used to work for IBM until it got taken over by IBT and his job was outsourced. I learned almost everything I know from him. I ran a little side-business for computer repair out of my garage for a few summers (mainly for friends and family... mostly for free). On beyond that, I don't have much of a rap sheet for qualifications to go off.

To Icemage: Your contacts are correct. Competition for job placement in the field is like a warzone here in Boston. NH is mostly a mystery to me, although I'm pretty sure it's going to be the same there. I don't expect there are all too many jobs out there in any state really.

The idea of an IT career is more-or-less a pipedream for me. Working in the communication field as I do now is rewarding, but there isn't much call for an Operations Coordinator in a state with as few major airports as NH has. Ideally I would like to apply to become an ATC (Air Traffic Controller) although, without having been to college for the field, I would have to pray for an "ioff the street" position to become available and offer me training (which would send me to Colorado for 4 months) and inevitably settle for a $15/hr temp-perm position based on performance. To top it off, I wouldn't get the opertunity to choose which airport/state/region I would like to work in. I would be placed where the FAA sees a need for me.

With an imobile business like my wife is preparing, if I were to be placed in... lets say New Jersey. I would have to turn down the job to be with her and essentially throw all the work and training I just did out tyhe window on nothing but a gamble.

Huzzah!

No but seriously, the Airlines are pretty concrete as far as job security is concerned and I rather like it here. I'm asking around to see if there are any IT positions available at Manchester Airport, to no avail, and hoping that maybe I'll stumble across a position that I would even remotely qualify for.

I appreciate all yuo guys said and all the help you're giving. Hopefully I can find something within driving range of our place. I'd even settle for an hour commute if it means I don't have to change fields.

[Icemage]

Re: I need a ew Job

If you want some honest advice, I'd at least try the commute thing first. One and a half hours is bad, but it's not horrible - perhaps you could ask your current position for a shift change to make the traffic situation easier, or maybe rearrange your workweek to a 4x10 (10 hour shift, 4 days a week) hour schedule so that you spend less time in commute.

As for the whole IT thing, it would depend greatly on where you're going to be living, and what sort of resources the local environment needs as far as tech experience goes. It also depends on your own skill set; it can be tough to strike out on your own and be your own boss in the IT field. You need interpersonal skills, a fairly broad spectrum of knowledge (at least enough know-how in each sub-genre of IT to know when you're out of your depth, if nothing else), and the ability to bring people to you - either through advertising or word of mouth.

If you'd rather take a paid (but stable) position, you'll have to give up some of the personal liberty you probably enjoy right now - not the end of the world, but it can be something of an adjustment / culture shock. There's also the open question of what sort of positions might be available in New Hampshire. Boston is a hotbed of tech activity. NH on the other hand, I've never even heard of any companies that are headquartered there...


Icemage

[Ufgt]

Re: I need a ew Job

1.5 hours to get to work? That's absolutely insane. I guess I've had the luxury of always living close to my job. The farthest I ever had to commute was 20 minutes (which includes traffic).

Right now, I commute 5 minutes... on foot.

Are long commutes common in the states? Everyone I've talked to drives MAYBE 30 minutes tops to get to work (friends, family, etc). But maybe because I come from a city that barely has 1 million people.

[Yygdrasil]

Re: I need a ew Job

If you want some honest advice, I'd at least try the commute thing first. One and a half hours is bad, but it's not horrible - perhaps you could ask your current position for a shift change to make the traffic situation easier, or maybe rearrange your workweek to a 4x10 (10 hour shift, 4 days a week) hour schedule so that you spend less time in commute.

As for the whole IT thing, it would depend greatly on where you're going to be living, and what sort of resources the local environment needs as far as tech experience goes. It also depends on your own skill set; it can be tough to strike out on your own and be your own boss in the IT field. You need interpersonal skills, a fairly broad spectrum of knowledge (at least enough know-how in each sub-genre of IT to know when you're out of your depth, if nothing else), and the ability to bring people to you - either through advertising or word of mouth.

If you'd rather take a paid (but stable) position, you'll have to give up some of the personal liberty you probably enjoy right now - not the end of the world, but it can be something of an adjustment / culture shock. There's also the open question of what sort of positions might be available in New Hampshire. Boston is a hotbed of tech activity. NH on the other hand, I've never even heard of any companies that are headquartered there...


Icemage

In the airlines, your schedual is determined by a bid system. You bid for lines (schedualed work times) on a seniority basis. Although I started this position over 3 years ago, I'm still one of the bottom rung on seniority. To top it off, there are only 6 people in Operations, and I'm the second lowest. Sadly, this gives me very little pull when it comes to my schedual.

I already work a 4 day week Tuesday-Friday 1:00pm - 11:30pm with Friday, Saturday and Sunday off. Weekends were an accomplishment in and of themselves, but you're right. The 1.5 hour commute really isnt all that bad, all things considered. The only thing that I'm nervous about is the traffic on my commute path. I have yet to experience what the traffic is like during the times that I would be commuting. The airlines aren't very forgiving when it comes to being late (weather you call in or not) and I would ahve to leave at least an extra half hour early just to avoid the possibility that I would hit traffic of any kind.

Right now, that's the plan. Commute and pray to the gods of Rt 16 for safe travels.

[Feba]

Re: I need a ew Job

Are long commutes common in the states?

Not really. I think most people expect their commute time to be about 10-20 minutes. unless they work in a very urbanized area and live on the outskirts. The big difference between America and most other industrialized countries would be more the method of commute-- nearly exclusively via cars over intercity highways, and only very rarely on foot or via public transportation.

Still, Icemage's suggestion isn't bad. Perhaps you could ask for additional compensation to cover your mileage (both gas and wear and tear on your vehicle). A long commute isn't for everyone, but some people really enjoy it. Try to take advantage of it-- audiobooks, podcasts and the like are great things. Catch up with the books you've been meaning to read, the news you've been meaning to watch, the random hobby you've been meaning to get back into. Listen to language tapes (I can give you advice here if you want it, PM me), learn another language while you commute. Maybe use the time to call and chat with people. Depends on what your interests are, but there's plenty you can do with it.

[Yygdrasil]

Re: I need a ew Job

1.5 hours to get to work? That's absolutely insane. I guess I've had the luxury of always living close to my job. The farthest I ever had to commute was 20 minutes (which includes traffic).

Right now, I commute 5 minutes... on foot.

Are long commutes common in the states? Everyone I've talked to drives MAYBE 30 minutes tops to get to work (friends, family, etc). But maybe because I come from a city that barely has 1 million people.

You're lucky. And yes, long commutes are virtually a commonplace at this stage in the game. The economy has us all scrambling to take any job that will hire us. For many, this means commuting an ungodly distance to our place of work. Some people who work/live in the city have it easier, but for many... you work in the city... and live in the suburbs.

Public transportation FTL

---------- Post added at 06:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:56 PM ----------

Not really. I think most people expect their commute time to be about 10-20 minutes. unless they work in a very urbanized area and live on the outskirts. The big difference between America and most other industrialized countries would be more the method of commute-- nearly exclusively via cars over intercity highways, and only very rarely on foot or via public transportation.

Still, Icemage's suggestion isn't bad. Perhaps you could ask for additional compensation to cover your mileage (both gas and wear and tear on your vehicle). A long commute isn't for everyone, but some people really enjoy it. Try to take advantage of it-- audiobooks, podcasts and the like are great things. Catch up with the books you've been meaning to read, the news you've been meaning to watch, the random hobby you've been meaning to get back into. Listen to language tapes (I can give you advice here if you want it, PM me), learn another language while you commute. Maybe use the time to call and chat with people. Depends on what your interests are, but there's plenty you can do with it.

On a much less serious note, this is what went through my head while I was reading your post. Don't snipe me out for this... it's all in good humor.

Ex1 Language Tapes: If I got stuck in traffic, at least I could swear at the GTFO drivers in a veritable plethora of languages.
"SCHNELL SCHNELL!!!! DU SAUGST!!!! WAS IST LOSS MIT DIR!!!! FRICHTS!!!!"
End Result: Get Shot

Ex2 News Podcasts: I could listen to traffic updates about the traffic jam that I'm in and steadily drive myself insane calculating my arrival time to work.
End Result: Shoot Myself

Ex3 Random Hobby: Build a Model Airplane in the breakdown lane
End Result: Get myself glued to my steering wheel. Die of Starvation

Ex4 Audiobooks: I usually only read Sci-Fi and Fantasy novels. I'd probably get a crazy idea stuck in my head so tightly that I would have to just act on my imagination before it drove me insane.
*pops out his moon roof*
"PEGASUS!!!!! YOU'VE COME FOR ME!!!! TAKE ME AWAY TO THE MAGICAL KINGDOM!!!!"
End Result: Retire in the magical kingdom... win?

[Feba]

Re: I need a ew Job

Ex1 Language Tapes: If I got stuck in traffic, at least I could swear at the GTFO drivers in a veritable plethora of languages.

that's one of the great things about foreign languages, you can insult people and they'll never understand you, until they do.

[TheGrandMom]

Re: I need a ew Job

Well good luck to you and your wife, Yygdrasil. A piece of advice though, stick with the old job till the wife gets the cafe going. You have some major stressers going there with a big move, starting a business, a new job for the wife (not sure if she worked before), and then a new job for you. You are basically ripping the carpet out from under your life's feet...and quite a big carpet too. Sometimes it is good to keep a bit of familiarity (your current job) around you amidst all that turmoil.

[Yygdrasil]

Re: I need a ew Job

Well good luck to you and your wife, Yygdrasil. A piece of advice though, stick with the old job till the wife gets the cafe going. You have some major stressers going there with a big move, starting a business, a new job for the wife (not sure if she worked before), and then a new job for you. You are basically ripping the carpet out from under your life's feet...and quite a big carpet too. Sometimes it is good to keep a bit of familiarity (your current job) around you amidst all that turmoil.

Oh yeah... that was never a question. Definately staying where I am until the earthquake settles.